Why is Studying Abroad the best Decision You can ever Make ?

In today's competitive world, it has become increasingly difficult to survive unless there is that something extra which will make you stand apart. This is the main reason for many of us, deciding to get that international exposure which will help make a difference.

But then, if you are one of those who are perpetually confused & wondering whether it is well worth your time, then the following reasons could be compelling enough to tilt the scales in favour of your decision.

Ask anyone who has done their studies abroad, and they will most certainly tell you that it is a life altering experience and one of the most rewarding things not to be missed.
There are several reasons for this, but below are listed the most important of them:

Studying abroad enhances employment opportunities- This is but naturally, the main reason we pursue it in the first place. In fact, did you know that only 60% of students abroad actually study in their home countries, the rest choose other countries to do so, some even coming to India!! Thanks to globalization, this cultural exchange benefits students & economies in general everywhere. An employer will always give more importance to a student who has studied abroad, one who is self-motivated & independent enough to embrace challenges & cope with diverse situations. These skills, sets him apart from every other job applicant he may come across.

It enhances the value of your degree- Since the courses abroad are numerous & tailor-made to suit individual needs, a number of courses can be done simultaneously that will be a value add to any resume, thus providing an opportunity for students to do courses that might not have be an option at home.

You will be able to meet & befriend students from all over the world- Apart from students in the native country, there are also those who come from various other places & interacting with them makes for a lifelong association.

It helps develop skills & provides experiences that a classroom setting will never provide- Although initially a very scary process, the new cultural setting will help you discover strengths & abilities which you never knew you possessed. There might be a lot of procedures & situations that are very unfamiliar but adapting to it & responding to it is what makes the whole experience worthwhile.

It's a very good opportunity to break away from a set academic routine- Since the academic system is different in different countries, the course set-up & options available will be unlike something offered in the home country. Wouldn't it be great to break out of the monotony that sets in semester after semester every year??

Studying abroad also provides an excellent opportunity to travel- This itself is one of the strongest factor to help you make your decision. For those of you who like to explore their surroundings, weekends, field trips and academic breaks allow you to venture out of campus. Since you will find yourself in a different continent, you can make the most of the opportunity to visit places you might have otherwise only dreamt about.

It gives you an avenue to experience another culture first-hand- Apart from the general differences like food, language, appearance & personal habits, a person's culture reflects deep perceptions, beliefs, and values that influence their lives & the way they view the world. This is something no text book will be able to teach you.

It is the best way to learn a language- Being surrounded by people speaking the language, makes imbibing it much easier & faster, especially when done in a proper cultural context.

Studying abroad expands your worldview- It broadens horizons & will make you more open minded and accepting of things. Americans, for example are very structured & uninterested with anything that happens beyond their boundaries, thus being with them & observing them will make you more informed & less biased towards other people & cultures.

The experience of studying abroad, makes you learn more about yourself- Isn't this something you would really like??

More important than the job implications of this decision, the new ideas & thoughts that you will equip yourself with, will change the way you look at things. The challenges experienced, will help you see yourself & your surroundings in a different perspective. You may either strengthen those core values or abandon them and create new concepts and ideas, both of which mean that you have learnt to something.

This crucial decision is thus ultimately, entirely in your hands. But I do hope that the above points I have given, will help in making the decision much easier!!!

Reg- Global Education Service
www.india-ges.com

* Study overseas Consultant IELTS Trainning at Kugli.com

Factors that Influence your Choice of Destination while planning to Study Abroad

Having seen that studying abroad might just be the most life-altering decision you have ever made, the next important question you must ask yourself, pertains to the other factors that should also be considered when deciding which host country will suit your individual needs.

This is particularly important,

Since many are unprepared & realise the implications only when they land in an alien land.
Many are not aware of the different courses being offered the choices are abundant everywhere
Relatives & friends recommend different places based on individual experience or information gleaned, which although important to consider, should not necessarily affect personal decisions.
The entire exercise is very confounding, especially for a student who has to invest wisely in such a course since his entire career depends on it.

I am sure that like me, for most of you, the US, UK & Australia are the only countries we can think of which offer the best options in terms of studying overseas. But this should not be the case. It is best to approach the matter with an open mind & go through various options, since every country has its own set of pros & cons.

Some of the important factors pertaining to the study decisions abroad, that need to be borne in mind are:

The basic academic experience received in the native country- This is particularly important, since the future course considered should in no way be a repetition of the basic course or else it will just become redundant. Although this might be considered a trivial matter, it is a must for the foreign degree to be an absolute value add-on. A good basic academic record will also go a long way in ensuring your selection to an esteemed university. The test scores, personal statements and letters of recommendation prove equally significant.

Availability of courses in the foreign country- Since the courses available are numerous & more practical oriented, it is advisable to find out the one which you are most suited for & which country is most apt in providing it, which will help in better long term career prospects.

Quality of education of the concerned country you are planning to travel- No education can ever be bad, but it always helps to keep in mind that the entire purpose of doing a course abroad is the value-add it gives. Thus apart from only considering known countries like the US, UK for this, it is good to explore a bit & find out about the other options available.

Course fees/ Tuition expenditure- Although mentioned in the prospectus while considering different study options, the course fees need to be properly verified.


According to Pacifica Consultants, an emigrant counselling agency in the US, the tuition cost in USA varies from $5000 to $30,000 per year, while the college tuition costs in Europe rarely exceed $17,000 per year. Just like in the United States, the tuition costs wholly depend on the university. Bigger universities, which are higher in international rankings, obviously charge more. The tuition often depends on the difficulty of the program, its competitiveness, and the facilities needed for teaching which is something, to be carefully considered.

Scholarship programs- These are the first option for a number of students & are offered by a large number of foreign universities. It is easier to get scholarships in the US, than in countries like UK, Canada, Australia & New Zealand. This may be the reason why the US is always the first option of study.
Bank loans- A main concern for students & even more so for their parents, the amount spent on education overseas will be three-fold when compared to an Indian degree. And rather than borrowing or taking a personal loan, an educational loan is the best bet. The number of institutions providing bank loans has increased ten-fold in the last couple of years & the options vary depending on the country selected.


An education loan covers some basic expenses like: fees payable to college/hostel, examination fee, library/laboratory fee, purchase of books & equipment, any security deposits and the purchase of a computer. Travel expenses are also covered for those studying abroad. Interestingly, the State Bank of India also covers the cost of two-wheelers -- up to Rs 50,000.

The loan amount differs in different financial institutions, but the maximum amount is between Rs 15 - Rs 20 lakhs with the interest rates ranging from 11.25 % to 13.5 %. The repayment of a loan generally begins 6 months following completion of courses. The tenure of the education loan ranges between 5 years to 10 years, depending on bank and loan amount.

Visa rules- Owing to a large number of people moving to different countries to work or study, the rules are very strict & having a valid passport & visa well in advance will make you better prepared. It also makes sense to be familiar with the laws & customs of the host country to avoid any unnecessary trouble.
Living expenses- Budget planning & expenditure should be done according to affordability. As the saying goes, "Cut your coat according to your cloth", living within your means will go a long way in teaching you to survive especially in a foreign land.
Cultural encounters- To be open & attuned to your fellow students & the community is one skill that will define your perception in the long run.
Internship opportunities- Giving you valuable experience in a field in which you are interested, internships are a useful resume builder which enhances the value of any degree. They are not only a way to get experience in a field, but also are a big help financially. Some internships offer a salary; while others count towards college credit. A career counsellor at the university is the best person to approach regarding such opportunities.
Work permit access- Prior to the start of an internship or a job, a valid work permit from the concerned embassy of the host country is a must.
Career aspirations- Whether using the international degree to study in your native country or abroad, there will be no dearth of opportunities awaiting you in your chosen field.
Permanent residency options upon graduation- Most of the students have this as their sole objective, & they tailor their choice of course and university with this end in mind. The propensity of many students to seek permanent residency in places like US, UK & Australia is the main motivation for this decision which although sensible, should be done only when taking into account other factors like financial implications & cost of living.


The above factors though not comprehensive, are just some of the things to be considered while taking such a major decision which is far reaching & life altering in many aspects.

Reg Global Education Service
www.india-ges.com


* Study overseas Consultant IELTS Trainning at Kugli.com

Why Study Abroad?

Create Global Awareness:
International education ignites a passion for understanding other people and their perspectives. That's one important benefit to working or studying abroad - and it's essential to success in our increasingly diverse world. Students with international exposure come to understand the value of dialogue between people from different cultures and between people with different points of view.

Advance Your Career:
To be an educated person in the new millennium one must have the new skills that come from exposure to other cultures and the understanding produced from the study of different societies and nations. To be employed in those parts of the economy that cross national borders and the barriers of different languages one must be educated in a global environment that provides comfort and understanding of the cultures.

Develop Leadership Skills:
To continue to compete successfully in the global economy and to maintain our role as a world leader, We need to ensure that we develop a broad understanding of the world, proficiency in other languages, and knowledge of other cultures. This will help us preparing ourselves for a global environment.

Experience Personal Growth:
In today's global world, which places a premium on international literacy, students who are not exposed to the world and to other cultures will be left behind.

Fund Yourself while Studying Abroad:
International students can work part-time during their studies, as well as fulltime during the vacation period. Now, Students are given with the option of staying back in the country where they receive their degree in order to gain that elusive international work experience. Also, Highly qualified persons are granted permanent residence by most of the developed nations.

Reg- Global Education Service
www.india-ges.com